COVID-19 cases are ticking up again across California, and while Fresno County hasn’t released recent wastewater data, nearby counties like Merced and Stanislaus are showing “very high” levels of the virus in their sewage — a sign the newest variant may be spreading closer to Fresno.
The latest strain, NB.1.8.1, has been spreading statewide since May and is expected to become the fastest-growing variant, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Wastewater testing, which tracks traces of the virus flushed into sewers, often shows increases before people test positive or are hospitalized. That means Fresno could soon see the same surge hitting neighboring counties.
With the state’s test positivity rate now at 12.8%, health experts say residents should remain alert heading into fall, when schools, indoor gatherings and waning immunity can fuel faster spread.
Kassidy Chang, a registered nurse in the emergency department at Community Regional Medical Center, said the variant highlights how unpredictable the development of COVID-19 is.
“The virus is evolving,” Chang said. “Medicine is always changing. Viruses can grow new strains and blend with other viruses. It’s growing and changing, as we are growing and changing.”
Chang added that people need to be reminded of the basics to stop the spread of COVID-19. Many have begun to dismiss common symptoms such as a fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose and sore throat as nothing more than a cold.
Chang said that mindset can contribute to further spreading.
“We just have to be more cautious, especially for those who are more vulnerable to disease, like people with weakened immune systems or conditions such as diabetes,” she said.
After Labor Day, two Fresno State professors in the Media, Communications and Journalism Department tested positive for COVID-19.
Pratik Shah, an assistant professor in the department, said his illness began with fatigue and body aches that made it difficult to keep up with his work.
“I couldn’t meet with my class in person, so it was super stressful,” Shah said. “I prefer face-to-face teaching.”
Shah said he finds the recent spikes in COVID-19 “scary” for people with health conditions that weaken the immune system, since he has diabetes. He believes the community should start campaigns to remind people how to stop the spread of the virus, including staying home when sick, keeping distance from others and wearing a mask.
Cheryl Gardner, an assistant professor in the same department, also tested positive during the same week.
She said she was not only sick with COVID-19, but was also battling strep throat. Gardner noted that when she spoke with three different telehealth doctors, they all said she was not the only person in the county experiencing the virus.
“They all said the same thing,” Gardner said. “COVID is on the rise; we’re seeing it more.”
As the new NB.1.8.1 variant circulates in neighboring counties, Fresno County health leaders are urging residents to remain vigilant.
Leticia Berber, a health educator with the Fresno County Department of Public Health, highlighted that wastewater surveillance has shown a significant increase in COVID-19 strains, indicating active transmission in the community. Symptoms of this variant are similar to previous strains, but may include a “razor-sharp” throat pain.
For ways to stay safe and protect yourself from COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
CORRECTION: Cheryl Gardner’s job title was incorrectly identified in an earlier version of this story.
